Personal watercraft tri-hull system

ABSTRACT

A personal watercraft tri-hull system for improving stability and handling of a personal watercraft at relatively high velocities. The personal watercraft tri-hull system includes a center hull, a first wing and a second wing extending from opposing sides of the center hull, a first hull connected to the distal portion of the first wing and a second hull connected to the distal portion of the second wing. The first hull and the second hull are preferably positioned within the forward portion of the personal watercraft tri-hull system for providing increased stability during high velocity travel. The first hull and second hull include a first inner portion and a second inner portion respectively which are angled inwardly to provide deceleration when the personal watercraft velocity is reduced.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] A United States design patent application will be filedbefore/simultaneously/after the present United States utility patentapplication. The applicant is currently unaware of the design patentapplication's serial number.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to personal watercraftand more specifically it relates to a personal watercraft tri-hullsystem for improving stability and handling at relatively highvelocities.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Personal watercrafts have been in use for years and aremanufactured by companies such as BOMBARDIER and YAMAHA. A conventionalpersonal watercraft utilizes a single hull design that providesincreased maneuverability at lower velocities within the water.

[0007] Single hull designs for personal watercraft are inherently notstable at relatively high velocities (e.g. velocities greater than 40miles per hour). In addition, single hull designs for personalwatercraft do not provide adequate handling at relatively highvelocities. Because of the relative instability and lack ofmaneuverability at high velocities, most personal water craft arelimited to velocities of less than 65 miles per hour thereby limitingthe usage and attractiveness of personal watercraft within racingevents.

[0008] The powerboat racing industry has realized the benefits of a dualhull design for stability and handling at relatively high velocities.Powerboats are capable of reaching velocities greater than 125 miles perhour while maintaining adequate control over the boat. Hydroplanes andother types of powerboats utilize powerful motors in conjunction with adual hull design for increased stability and handling.

[0009] Examples of patented devices which are related to the presentinvention include U.S. Pat. No. 340,221 to Krieger et al.; U.S. Pat. No.342,052 to Schoell et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 444,761 to Momoi et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 401,212 to Tapolsky et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,529 toMontgomery; U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,254 to Jacques; U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,373to Mardikian; U.S. Pat. No. 370,455 to Wiegert; U.S. Pat. No. 399,182 toLapointe et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 350,324 to Miller; U.S. Pat. No. 359,469to Yoshida et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,810 to Kobayashi.

[0010] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose towhich they address, they are not as suitable for improving stability andhandling at relatively high velocities. Conventional personal watercraftsingle hull designs are inherently unstable and are difficult to controlat higher velocities.

[0011] In these respects, the personal watercraft tri-hull systemaccording to the present invention substantially departs from theconventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doingprovides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of improvingstability and handling of a personal watercraft at relatively highvelocities.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the knowntypes of personal watercraft now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a new personal watercraft tri-hull systemconstruction wherein the same can be utilized for improving stabilityand handling of a personal watercraft at relatively high velocities.

[0013] The general purpose of the present invention, which will bedescribed subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new personalwatercraft tri-hull system that has many of the advantages of thepersonal watercraft mentioned heretofore and many novel features thatresult in a new personal watercraft tri-hull system which is notanticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of theprior art personal watercraft, either alone or in any combinationthereof.

[0014] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises acenter hull, a first wing and a second wing extending from opposingsides of the center hull, a first hull connected to the distal portionof the first wing and a second hull connected to the distal portion ofthe second wing. The first hull and second hull include a first innerportion and a second inner portion respectively which are angledinwardly to provide deceleration when the personal watercraft velocityis reduced.

[0015] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0016] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not beregarded as limiting.

[0017] A primary object of the present invention is to provide apersonal watercraft tri-hull system that will overcome the shortcomingsof the prior art devices.

[0018] A second object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hullsystem for improving stability and handling of a personal watercraft atrelatively high velocities.

[0019] Another object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hullsystem that utilizes a tri-hull structure.

[0020] An additional object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hullsystem that allows a personal watercraft to travel at higher velocities.

[0021] A further object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hullsystem that increases stability and low and high velocities.

[0022] Another object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hullsystem that increases fuel efficiency.

[0023] An additional object is to provide a personal watercraft tri-hullsystem that softens and improves the control upon a water landing.

[0024] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeobvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects andadvantages are within the scope of the present invention.

[0025] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, thisinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawingsare illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described within the scope of the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of thepresent invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0027]FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention disclosing thetri-hull structure.

[0028]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similarreference characters denote similar elements throughout the severalviews, FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a personal watercraft tri-hullsystem 10, which comprises a center hull 80, a first wing 22 and asecond wing 24 extending from opposing sides of the center hull 80, afirst hull 30 connected to the distal portion of the first wing 22 and asecond hull 40 connected to the distal portion of the second wing 24.The first hull 30 and the second hull 40 are preferably positionedwithin the forward portion of the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10for providing increased stability during high velocity travel. The firsthull 30 and second hull 40 include a first inner portion 32 and a secondinner portion 42 respectively which are angled inwardly to providedeceleration when the personal watercraft velocity is reduced.

[0033] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a frame 20includes the first wing 22 and the second wing 24. As is well known inthe personal watercraft industry, a seat 12 is attached to the upperportion of the frame 20 along with a set of handlebars 14 extendingupwardly from a forward portion of the frame 20 for controlling thepersonal watercraft tri-hull system 10. The handlebars 14 aremechanically connected to the jet nozzle 70 for controlling thedirection of travel of the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10. Amotor is positioned within the frame 20 for powering a water turbinethat receives water through an intake 72 and disperses the water at ahigh velocity through the jet nozzle 70. Various other structures may beutilized to construct and operate the personal watercraft tri-hullsystem 10 which are well known.

[0034] As further shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the first wing 22 andthe second wing 24 include a first lower surface 26 and a second lowersurface 28 respectively that ride upon the water at lower velocities.When the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10 is traveling at highervelocities, the lower surfaces 26, 28 of the wings 22, 24 engage thewater surface in a limited manner thereby reducing drag within thewater. A first stabilizer 50 and a second stabilizer 60 are preferablyattached to the rear portions of the first lower surface 26 and thesecond lower surface 28 respectively for increasing performance of theinvention.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the first hull 30 is attachedto the distal portion of the first wing 22. The first hull 30 has asufficient volume for providing increased buoyancy of the personalwatercraft tri-hull system 10. The first hull 30 is preferablyconstructed of a lightweight material such as but not limited tofiberglass, plastic, composite or metal. The first hull 30 may include avolume filling material that is buoyant within water such as a foammaterial. The lower surface of the first hull 30 has a gradual curvatureoutwardly from an inner portion thereof as best shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings. During travel at high velocities, only the inner portion ofthe first hull 30 is preferably engaging the water surface. A pluralityof first ribs 34 preferably extend substantially parallel to one anotheralong the lower surface of the first hull 30 for increasing handlingduring travel.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the first hull 30includes a first inner portion 32 that is angled inwardly towards thesecond inner portion 42 of the second hull 40. The first inner portion32 is preferably comprised of a curved structure for directing the waterinwardly at lower velocities thereby decelerating the personalwatercraft tri-hull system when the first hull 30 and the second hull 40are extended a finite distance within the water. The vertical portion ofthe first inner portion 32 preferably is preferably angled within anapproximately one-hundred-eighty degree curvature. The horizontalportion of the first inner portion 32 is preferably angled within anapproximately ninety degree curvature as further shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the second hull 40 isattached to the distal portion of the second wing 24. The second hull 40has a sufficient volume for providing increased buoyancy of the personalwatercraft tri-hull system 10. The second hull 40 is preferablyconstructed of a lightweight material such as but not limited tofiberglass, plastic, composite or metal. The second hull 40 may includea volume filling material that is buoyant within water such as a foammaterial. The lower surface of the second hull 40 has a gradualcurvature outwardly from an inner portion thereof as best shown in FIG.1 of the drawings. During travel at high velocities, only the innerportion of the second hull 40 is preferably engaging the water surface.A plurality of second ribs 44 preferably extend substantially parallelto one another along the lower surface of the second hull 40 forincreasing handling during travel.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the second hull 40includes a second inner portion 42 that is angled inwardly towards thefirst inner portion 32 of the first hull 30 as described previously. Thesecond inner portion 42 is preferably comprised of a curved structurefor directing the water inwardly at lower velocities therebydecelerating the personal watercraft tri-hull system when the first hull30 and the second hull 40 are extended a finite distance within thewater. The shape of the second inner portion 42 preferably mirrors theshape and structure of the first inner portion 32 as shown in FIG. 1 ofthe drawings. The vertical portion of the second inner portion 42preferably is preferably angled within an approximatelyone-hundred-eighty degree curvature. The horizontal portion of thesecond inner portion 42 is preferably angled within an approximatelyninety degree curvature as further shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the center hull 80extends centrally from the frame 20. The center hull 80 has a frontsurface 82 that is preferably angled downwardly for providing lift uponthe front of the personal watercraft tri-hull system 10 during forwardtravel. The center hull 80 further includes a first surface and a secondsurface 86 in opposition to one another and angled outwardly as shown inFIG. 2 of the drawings. The first surface and the second surface 86preferably are angled inwardly toward a lower portion of the center hull80. A first side 88 and a second side 89 are connected to the firstsurface and the second surface 86 respectively extending rearwardlysubstantially parallel to one another. A plurality of center ribs 85 areattached to the bottom surface of the center hull 80 for increasingperformance upon the water surface.

[0040] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operationof the present invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

[0041] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realizedthat the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of theinvention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to bewithin the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalentstructural variations and relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

[0042] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only ofthe principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modificationsand changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A personal watercraft tri-hull system, comprising: a framehaving a first wing and a second wing; a center hull connected to acenter of said frame; a first hull attached to a distal portion of saidfirst wing; and a second hull attached to a distal portion of saidsecond wing.
 2. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 1,wherein said first wing and said second wing are attached to a frontportion of said frame.
 3. The personal watercraft tri-hull system ofclaim 1, wherein said first hull and said second hull each include aninner portion, wherein said inner portion is angled inwardly.
 4. Thepersonal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 3, wherein said innerportion is curved.
 5. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim4, wherein said inner portion is curved approximately 90 degreeshorizontally.
 6. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 5,wherein said inner portion is curved approximately 180 degreesvertically.
 7. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 1,wherein said center hull includes a front surface having a downwardangle.
 8. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 7, whereinsaid center hull includes a first surface and a second surface onopposing sides of said center hull, wherein said first surface and saidsecond surface are angled outwardly.
 9. The personal watercraft tri-hullsystem of claim 8, wherein said center hull includes a first side and asecond side extending rearwardly from said first surface and said secondsurface respectively.
 10. The personal watercraft tri-hull system ofclaim 9, wherein said first side and said second side are substantiallyparallel to one another.
 11. A personal watercraft tri-hull system,comprising: a frame having a first wing and a second wing; a center hullconnected to a center of said frame; a plurality of center ribs attachedto center hull; a first hull attached to a distal portion of said firstwing; a plurality of first ribs attached to said first hull; a secondhull attached to a distal portion of said second wing; and a pluralityof second ribs attached to said second hull.
 12. The personal watercrafttri-hull system of claim 11, wherein said first wing and said secondwing are attached to a front portion of said frame.
 13. The personalwatercraft tri-hull system of claim 11, wherein said first hull and saidsecond hull each include an inner portion, wherein said inner portion isangled inwardly.
 14. The personal watercraft tri-hull system of claim13, wherein said inner portion is curved.
 15. The personal watercrafttri-hull system of claim 14, wherein said inner portion is curvedapproximately 90 degrees horizontally.
 16. The personal watercrafttri-hull system of claim 15, wherein said inner portion is curvedapproximately 180 degrees vertically.
 17. The personal watercrafttri-hull system of claim 11, wherein said center hull includes a frontsurface having a downward angle.
 18. The personal watercraft tri-hullsystem of claim 17, wherein said center hull includes a first surfaceand a second surface on opposing sides of said center hull, wherein saidfirst surface and said second surface are angled outwardly.
 19. Thepersonal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 18, wherein said centerhull includes a first side and a second side extending rearwardly fromsaid first surface and said second surface respectively.
 20. Thepersonal watercraft tri-hull system of claim 19, wherein said first sideand said second side are substantially parallel to one another.